I wrote that incorrectly, sorry. I can and do carry when not at work. That law needs to be changed because.nurses are attacked by patients and family all the time.
I certainly think the law/policies need to change so that coming to and from work on hospital property you absolutely should be able to carry.
I can certainly though see how lots of things can go very badly if you’re carrying at work in say the ER on Friday night.
Also another case of where if your employer forbids you carrying on the property they should be held completely liable for any damages that occur from an attack on their property for both employees and the general public.
If any entity is going to deny you the basics to defend yourself then they should be fully liable when they fail to protect you.
I see both sides of this one too - you should be able to defend yourself, but your focus will be on your patient so having a firearm could be a liability if there’s a violent patient. And I would hope that violent patients or patients who’ve been arrested would have a police escort. I’ve seen them waiting in the hospital on the edge of an ER bay in my local hospital.
One of my friends is an ER nurse and works night shifts a lot. Since she can’t carry, she makes security take her to her car at the end of her shift. They have no issue with doing that for her safety - I think most people on her shift do something similar or leave in groups.
My wife used to work 2nd shift ER registration at a local hospital. On her way to the car at 11:30 one night, a truck drove by, and a man leaned out the window with a shotgun, aimed at the hospital, and opened fire. The window washer found deer slugs in the stucco the next morning. In Illinois, hospitals and hospital affiliates are “Gun Free Zones” by law.
DANG! That’s just scary, @45IPAC! I’m glad she wasn’t hurt. It’s so frustrating that hospitals are soft targets. People need to be able to defend themselves and/or there needs to be better protection for individuals who aren’t allowed to carry - especially in an environment like a hospital.
In reality big city hospitals are generally in the worst areas of the cities crime wise.
You not only find the parking lots being being considered prime pickings for robberies but also desperate drug seekers and there’s always someone looking to get even with hospital staff over the death/mistreatment of a family member as well.
It is definitely a high risk area.
The signage law here in Utah is a joke and is treated as such. Employees do not care or merely remain mum. I cover when I enter stores but uncover when I get back in my car, and because I have large hands, my sidearm is medium-sized so even though I try to be discreet it does “print” and show sometimes.
Like other places it’s only a trespassing offense 'though to date I have not been confronted.
Welcome to the community @Sean2!
Here in Virginia, the signs have no force of law (unless Federally prohibited or the few places referenced in our statutes). If you are asked to leave by the property owner and don’t, and they call the police, you can be issued a trespassing violation.
No criminal penalty then I take it, just the civil trespass? VA still has some reasonable laws!
Glad to have you here, @Sean2!
It looks like the Utah signs don’t have the force of the law in most places, except a few specifics mentioned in their law (house of worship and private residences.) I’m sure you don’t ignore those signs
Do non-carriers even notice your printing? Or are they in condition white and wouldn’t notice?
Some certainly will and the anti gunners who do will instantly freak out and/or turn hostile. That’s where a large number of the MWAG calls to police originate. They are mostly punitive, not the result of anything relating to “good citizenship” according to cops I’ve talked to on the subject from all across the country.
Just anecdotal but from what Ive seen street thugs and cops will spot you printing. Joe and Sally Blow seem oblivious. Was in a crowded restaurant with a friend. He had half a Beretta 92F and holster hanging below his t shirt. No one reacted to it. Thats here in gun shy CA. He didn’t scare the horses and no one hit 911 on their Android. Which they did often when it was still legal to open carry.
- I believe it is as you postulate: “situation normal.” But here in “Mormon-dom” (I.e., members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), people consider the Constitution sacrosanct. Yet I still am surprised.
- When I enter a home once, I leave my sidearm covered, but if I enter again, I ask permission. In all cases thus far, the response has been positive.
- I will not carry into houses of worship unless they welcome it. This was a very difficult decision for me when the Church said: “no.” I have read and heard the stories. But I believe firmly that they are right: a house of worship is a place of refuge from the world.
You know? I’ve tried to discern others carrying. No luck.
There are common tip offs. Especially if someone is new to Concealed Carry. Handling the area the weapon is at trying to determine if their garment is still covering it, pulling pants up due to the weight, pulling shirt down when standing up from the table. This is the time to focus on them looking for those straight lines under a garment a semi auto makes. There are many other tells. Some cops become very good at it, making numerous gun arrests on the street. You don’t have to be a cop to spot someone carrying, just know what to look for. I was in a Costco food court in AZ and entertained myself by spotting carriers.
Unless someone has been carrying daily for many years there are always telltale signs, BD covered the big one, newbies checking for their gun and shifting it around to be comfortable.
Gangbangers will frequently want to keep on hand on it whether it’s stuffed in a pocket or in their waistband which is another.
As a truck driver all the companies I make deliveries to have a no weapons policy stickers on the doors, but I don’t know how much weight they carry on private companies. I run in states of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. My gun is very concealed and never prints, but if it’s a company I’m not sure about I just leave it in the truck while I am checking in with the customer. As for carrying while in church my pastor welcomes those who can and are willing to carry so he doesn’t have to worry about another church shooting like in Antioch TN with no one being armed as we are a small church with maybe 20+ members and are probably seen as a easier target than the larger churches.
Damon-
THIS IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE
TN—
Signage: [39-17-1359] Enforced. A sign must be visible at all entrances. Violators fined $500.
KY—
Signage: [237-110] Not enforced. Not leaving after being asked could lead to arrest.
AL—
Signage: UNKNOWN.
Some people I have met tell me to “keep it quiet.” I believe that sows mistrust. When I have doubts, I ask. It tells the business that I am honest and that I respect them.